Page 46 of The Penalty

His brown eyes lock with mine for a moment, and I’m sucked in. Until he breaks the contact, whipping his head back as someone walks up behind him, clapping a hand on his back. Beau. Shit. Right. Of course they share some classes. Stupid of me to think I could just walk up to him in public like that. I mean, it is reasonable. We met, and Beau told me I could call him if I needed something and he wasn’t around. But as far as my brother knows, we’ve only met that one time.

Dev’s expression doesn’t change much. There’s a subtle tightening of his features that most people wouldn’t even notice, but that’s all.

Beau is still turned toward his friend. He hasn’t seen me, but it would be weird if I rushed off without saying hi, so I push myself forward toward the guys.

“Hey, Beau... and Derek, was it?” I force my lips into a big smile, interrupting their conversation.

“Cece!” My brother turns toward me, eyes skating from my face down my body. He takes in my baggy purple sweats and long-sleeved black t-shirt with a dancing skeleton on it. It is spooky season after all. “I would kill to see Mom’s face if she saw you wearing that in public.”

I shrug, lifting a finger to my lips. “But I know you’ll never tell.”

“Of course not, but it would be so much fun.”

“I can get you one and we can wear them home together. Or just take a snap and send it to her. Probably safer.”

He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t put that thing on even for a pic, but you go wild. Just let me know when you’re going to do it so I can clear my schedule.”

I can’t help turning back to Dev, and our eyes lock for another moment. It’s hard to tear myself away, but I do, focusing on my brother’s blue eyes that are so similar to my own.

“We were heading over to the UC for some lunch if you want to join us?” Beau tilts his head at me, but his gaze is straying over my shoulder, and his fingers are twitching in a steady rhythm.

“Nah, I’m going to meet Anna at Northman. We’ve got something to work on.”

My brother nods. “Cool. Catch you later.”

“Yup. See you.”

I resume my walk toward the east exit, passing by the guys. My skin ripples as large fingers trail down my arm, and I swivel my head around as Dev squeezes my hand in his. The calloused fingers are scratchy but reassuring. I smile at his back, almost bumping into another student as his fingertips slip from mine, leaving only a pleasant warmth behind.

“Sorry.”

I apologize, hustling on by with a dreamy smile on my face, floating out the door and across campus.

Heat embraces me as soon as I walk through the doors into the hall. It’s in the quiet zone between lunch and dinner, so not too crowded. I scan the handful of tables, searching for Anna, but it’s a raspy laugh that catches my attention. The dining area lights are glinting off a head full of bright blonde hair. My other roomie is sitting across from Anna.

“Good afternoon,” I say, plopping into the seat beside Georgia, and giving Anna a bright smile.

“Well, well, well, what have you been up to, darling? You’re always a ray of sunshine, but there’s something of an extra glow about you today.” Georgia pauses with a fry halfway to her mouth.

I reach up to rub at my heated neck, hoping there’s no blush to give me away. “Nothing. I came from class. It was a sales class. Not my favorite.”

“I don’t envy you that,” Anna says, going along with my deflection.

But Georgia is not deterred. She purses her lips into a perfect bow. “Cute guy in your class?”

“No.” I shake my head.

But she continues to stare at me, and it almost feels like she can see into my mind.

It doesn’t take long for me to crumble under the scrutiny. I glance to the left, and the right before I whisper. “I raninto Dev.” Obviously, I couldn’t keep my tryst secret after he emerged from my room after our last encounter.

She lights up like a birthday cake. “Ooh. Did you get up to some in class shenanigans? Be careful of sneaking into any storage closets in the Jameson building. There’s an entrance to the secret tunnels under the school that is super haunted.”

“Of course not. I don’t sneak into closets between classes for a little make-out sesh. Not my vibe.”

Her perfectly arched eyebrow curves almost up to her hairline. “Of course it’s not.” She turns back to Annie. “She’s more of a restroom kind of gal.”

Annie does her best to muffle her laugh, but she can’t quite do it and it comes out in a snort.

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